System and Method for Interchangeable Cosmetic Container

ABSTRACT

A container for carrying cosmetic product comprises a central container with first and second openings, the first opening configured to accept a first vial and the second opening configured to accept a second vial wherein the first opening and the second opening are substantially the same size, and wherein the first vial and the second vial are substantially the same size; and two caps, each cap having an open end and a closed end, the cap designed to accept a cap insert into the open end, wherein the cap insert comprises a rod, wherein the rod is configured to accept an applicator tip, and wherein the rod is configured to be inserted into the vial when the cap is placed over the first opening or the second opening of the central container.

PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/241,495, filed Oct. 14, 2015, the entirety of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a cosmetic container having theability to carry multiple cosmetics in a single container and theability to interchange the cosmetics carried in the container.

Users of cosmetics often use numerous types of product, includingmultiple products to be applied to various areas surrounding the eyes,products to be applied to the lips, and others. These products also comein numerous colors and formulas, and they can be cumbersome to carry. Asa result, there is a need for a container that can carry multipleproducts in a single container, and accepts similarly sized vials ofdifferent types of product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A container for carrying cosmetic product comprises a central containercomprising a first opening and a second opening, the first openingconfigured to accept a first vial inserted into the first opening, andthe second opening configured to accept a second vial inserted into thesecond opening, wherein the first opening and the second opening aresubstantially the same size, and wherein the first vial and the secondvial are substantially the same size; and two caps, each cap having anopen end and a closed end, the cap designed to accept a cap insert intothe open end, wherein the cap insert has an insert diameter smaller thana cap diameter of the open end, such that when the cap insert isinserted into the open end, there remains an outer circumference of theopen end capable of covering the first opening or the second opening ofthe central container despite the presence, within the open end, of thecap insert, wherein the cap insert comprises a rod, wherein the rod isconfigured to accept an applicator tip, and wherein the rod isconfigured to be inserted into the vial when the cap is placed over thefirst opening or the second opening of the central container.

In one aspect, the first vial and the second vial are positioned closerto the center of the central container than the first cap and the secondcap. In one aspect, where in the rod is configured to accept a pluralityof applicator tip styles. In one aspect, the container further comprisesa wiper positioned at a top end of the first vial such that theapplicator contacts the wiper when the applicator is removed from thevial.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows side, cross-sectional, and perspective views of aninterchangeable cosmetic container in accordance with one aspect of thepresent disclosure

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of an interchangeable cosmetic containerin accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows top, bottom, side and perspective views of a vial inaccordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows top, bottom, side and perspective views of a container inaccordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows top, bottom, side and perspective views of a cap inaccordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 shows top, bottom, side and perspective views of a cap insert inaccordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows top, bottom, side and perspective views of a rod inaccordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 shows top, bottom, side and perspective views of an applicator inaccordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows top, bottom, side and perspective views of a wiper inaccordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 shows top, bottom, side and perspective views of a color band inaccordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 shows top, bottom, side and perspective views of a vial assemblyin accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 shows top, bottom, side and perspective views of a cap assemblyin accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 shows side and top views of a cap and vial assembly inaccordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 shows a. mascara brush in accordance with one aspect of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 15 shows an eyeliner applicator in accordance with one aspect ofthe present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ASPECTS OF THE INVENTION

Turning now to the figures, where like numbers refer to like elements.FIG. 1 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of an interchangeablecosmetic container in accordance with one aspect of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 1 shows an exterior front view and an exterior sideview, with the exterior side view being rotated approximately 90degrees. FIG. 1 also shows a cross-sectional front and side views and anangle view.

The cosmetic container 1 may include a cap 10 and a cap insert 20. Thecap insert 20 may include a rod 30, an applicator 40 at the end of therod 30. The container 1 may further contain a vial assembly 90 whichincludes a vial 70, a color band 60, and a wiper 50. The vial assembly90 is inserted into a central container 80. When the container 1 isassembled as shown in FIG. 1, the applicator 40 is inserted into a vial70 of the vial assembly 90. The rod 30 is connected to the cap 10 andcap 10 is then secured to the top of the central container 80, coveringthe vial 70. As shown in FIG. 1, the container 1 is symmetrical, in thatit contains the same parts on the top and on the bottom, allowing twovials or product and two applicators to be carried in a single centralcontainer 80.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the interchangeable cosmetic container1 in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. In the viewshown on the left of FIG. 2, the parts of the container 1 are shownassembled at the top and unassembled at the bottom. In the right view,the parts of the container 1 are shown unassembled at the top andassembled at the bottom. As shown, the assembly 1 is symmetrical, andhas the same parts inserted into the top and the bottom of centralcontainer 80 as discussed in detail below.

Cap assembly 100 includes the cap 10, the cap insert 20, and the rod 30with an applicator 40 on the end of the rod 30. Vial assembly 90includes a wiper 50, a color ring 60 and a vial 70. Vial 70 may containcosmetic product (not shown) and may be configured to contain differenttypes of cosmetic products. In non-limiting examples, vial 70 maycontain cosmetic products such as lip product, eye product, nailproduct, or others as discussed. Applicator 40 may, in one aspect, bereplaced by a different applicator corresponding to and appropriate forthe product contained in vial 80. Applicators could include an angled“doe's foot” lip applicator, a mascara brush, an eyeliner brush, or anyother applicator used to apply makeup or any other product that might behoused in vial 70.

Central container 80 has two or more openings 83 as shown in accordancewith one non-limiting aspect. In one non-limiting aspect, openings 83may be arranged at opposing ends of central container 80. This permits avial assembly 90 to be inserted into one opening 83, and a second vialassembly 90 to be inserted into the other opening 83. This allows theuser of the container 1 to reduce the number of separate containersneeded to carry multiple makeup products. On the other end of centralcontainer 80 is another cap assembly 100, comprised of the cap 10, thecap insert 20 and the rod 30 with the applicator 40.

Containers known in the art store the product closer to the end of thecontainer with the applicators closer to the center of central container90. When a user wishes to apply product, the user removes the part ofthe container containing the product that person wishes to use. What isleft in the user's hand is the entire remainder of the container,including the full amount of the product on the other side, which theuser does not wish to use at that time. This results in a heavy itemwhich can make applying makeup difficult, especially but not exclusivelyto one's own face. By contrast, in this aspect of the presentdisclosure, the product is stored closer to the center of container 90,with the outer cap insert 20 containing the rod 30 and the applicator 40positioned on either end of central container 90. This arrangement moreevenly distributes the relative weight, with the heavier aspects of thecontainer, namely the product itself, closer to the center of mass ofthe container 1. This allows the person applying the makeup to hold alighter implement in the hand, because one must only bring the weight ofthe cap insert 20 and the applicator 40, and not the vial full ofproduct, up to one's face.

FIG. 3 shows top, bottom, side and perspective views of vial 70 inaccordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. Users of theproduct can own more than two vials 70 of product and can chose whichtwo vials 70 of product to be inserted into central container 80.Accordingly, the user can carry the same central container daily, butwith vials 70 containing different kinds of makeup each day. Screwthreads 71 allow the vial 70 to be securely fastened to the centralcontainer when it is inserted. Locking bead 72 permits the color band 60to be attached to the vial 70, and orientation scallops 73 prevent thecolor band 60 from rotating when attached. Three snap beads 74 allow thevial to snap into and out of the central container 80, as they arematched with snap beads 81 shown in FIG. 4. Rotation lug 75 matches upwith rotation lug 82 in central container 80 as shown in FIG. 4, toensure that the vial 70 and the rest of the vial assembly 90 are in theproper rotation relative to the central container 80.

FIG. 4 shows top, bottom, side and perspective views of centralcontainer 80 in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.Central container 80 may include, in one aspect, snap beads 81surrounding holes 83 so that the vial assembly 90 can be secured bysnapping into the central container, though other fastening mechanismscould also be used. Central container 80 further comprises orientationlug 82 to align the vial 70 properly when inserted into the centralcontainer 80.

FIG. 5 shows top, bottom, side and perspective views of cap 10 inaccordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. The cap 10 has abeveled top 11 which allows for text or a drawing, such as a descriptionof the applicator contained within the cap assembly 100. Alignmentgrooves 12 allow for the cap insert 30 to be aligned relative to the cap10 when creating the cap assembly 100. Under cut locking feature 13allows the cap insert to lock into the interior of the cap 10.

FIG. 6 shows top, bottom, side and perspective views of cap insert 20 inaccordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. The cap insert 20may have a tapered appearance, with one end designed to fit into the cap10, and the other end to accept, and secure the top portion of the rod30, shown in FIG. 7. Anti-rotational groove 21 interacts with outer capalignment groove 12 to ensure alignment of the cap insert with the cap.Locking bead 22 is captured by undercut 13 of cap 10 when assembled intothe cap assembly 100, so the cap insert 20 is locked in place. Standoffrib details 23 allow for location of the rod 30 in the cap insert 20.Threads 24 allow for closure when interacting with threads 71 on vial70.

FIG. 8 shows top, bottom, side and perspective views of the rod 30 inaccordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. The rod 30contains including locking bead 31 on the top end which is designed toallow the rod to snap into the cap insert 20 via undercut 25. Stem 32 ofthe rod 30 holds applicator 40 as shown in FIG. 8. Applicators 40 aredesigned on the clocked outer surface 42 on one end to fit into thebottom end 32 of the rod 30. The other end 41 of the applicator 40 canbe customized for the type of makeup to be applied with the applicator,and is designed to fit into the wiper 50 as shown in FIG. 9. Doe's footapplicator tip 43 is one exemplary applicator type. Other types,including brushes tier lip and eye product, can be used interchangeably.

Turning now to FIG. 9, a wiper 50 is shown. The wiper is used to wipeoff excess product when the applicator 40 is removed from the vial 70.Sealing surface 51 prevents leakage of product. Flexible wiper flange 52removes excess product from the applicator upon removal of the capassembly 100 in anticipation of applying product. In one aspect thewiper 50 can fit into a color band 60 as shown in FIG. 10. Color band 60can be interchangeable so that a person using the container 1 can knowwhat kind of makeup and/or what color makeup is contained in one end orthe other end of the container 1. Color band 60 is approximately thesame diameter as the opening 83 of the central container 80. Color band60 include orientation scallops 61 to prevent rotation of the color band60.

FIG. 11 shows the vial assembly 90 in accordance with one aspect of thepresent disclosure. Vial assembly 90 includes vial 70 and the parts ofvial 70 as discussed with respect to FIG. 3, along with the wiper 50 asshown in and discussed with respect to FIG. 9, and the color ring asdisclosed with respect to FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 shows the cap assembly 100 in accordance with one aspect of thepresent disclosure. Cap assembly 100 includes the cap 10 as describedwith respect to FIG. 5, the cap insert 20 as described with respect toFIG. 6, the rod 30 as described with respect to FIG. 7, and theapplicator 40 as described with respect to FIG. 8. The rod 30 isinserted into the cap insert 20, which is inserted into the cap 10.Preferably, the components snap together, to form one cap assembly 100which can be inserted into a vial 70 which is within the centralcontainer 80.

FIG. 13 shows cap and vial assembly 110, which comprises a cap assembly100 and a vial assembly 90, coupled together in accordance with oneaspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 shows a mascara brush 120, which is another example of anapplicator that can be used in place of applicator 40. Mascara brush 120includes insertion tip 121 for mounting into the cap insert 30, andflexible bristles 122 for application of mascara to eye lashes.

FIG. 15 shows an eyeliner brush 130, which is another example of anapplicator that can be used in place of applicator 40. Eyeliner brush130 includes insertion tip 131 for mounting into the cap insert 30, andan application surface 132 for application of eye liner.

While the above description of one embodiment is instructive, thespecific limitations set forth in die specification and the figuresshould not be construed or read as necessary limitations on theinvention, but merely as exemplars of one embodiment. Persons havingskilling the art will realize that while the disclosure is described inreference to makeup, other types of product that can be inserted in avial and applied with an applicator can also be used.

What is claimed is: 1-4. (canceled)
 5. A container for carrying cosmeticproduct stored in a first vial and a second vial, each of the first andsecond vials having a cap insert, the container comprising: a. a centralcontainer comprising a first opening and a second opening; b. the firstopening configured to accept the first vial inserted into the firstopening, wherein the first vial has at least one protrusion, and thefirst opening has at least one recess to accommodate the at least oneprotrusion, wherein the at least one protrusion and at least one recessprevent rotation of the first vial when placed within the first opening;c. the second opening configured to accept the second vial inserted intothe second opening, wherein the second vial has at least one protrusion,and the second opening has at least one recess to accommodate the atleast one protrusion, wherein the at least one protrusion and at leastone recess prevent rotation of the second vial when placed within thesecond opening, wherein the first opening and the second opening aresubstantially the same size, and wherein the first vial and the secondvial are substantially the same size; and d. two caps, each cap havingan open end and a closed end, the cap designed to accept the cap insertinto the open end, wherein one of the cap and the cap insert have atleast one protrusion and the other of the cap and the cap insert have atleast one recess to accommodate the at least one protrusion, wherein theat least one protrusion and at least one recess prevent rotation of thecap insert when placed within the cap, wherein the cap insert comprisesa rod, wherein the rod is configured to accept an applicator tip, andwherein the rod is configured to be inserted into the vial when the capis placed over the first opening or the second opening of the centralcontainer.
 6. The container of claim 5, wherein the first vial and thesecond vial are positioned closer to the center of the central containerthan the first cap and the second cap.
 7. The container of claim 5,where in the rod is configured to accept a plurality of applicator tipstyles.
 8. The container of claim 5, further comprising a wiperpositioned at a top end of the first vial such that the applicatorcontacts the wiper when the applicator is removed from the vial.
 9. Thecontainer of claim 5, wherein the first vial and a first cap insert havecomplementary threads for removably coupling the first vial and thefirst cap insert, and wherein the second vial and a second cap inserthave complementary threads for removably coupling the second vial andthe second cap insert.